francoeur



June 24, 1930. G. J. FRANCOE'UR FIRE ALARM SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1929 A iiomey Q June 24, 1930. a. J. FRANCOEUR FIRE ALARM SWITCH Filed March 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor A iiomey Patented June "24, 1930 FFICE GEORGE J. FRANCOEUB, F KANKAKEE, ILINOIE;

FIRE-ALARM SVJI'ICH Application filed March 22,

This invention relates broadly to an improved electric circuit make and break device and it has more particular reference to a structure which may be conveniently and specifically defined as an electric fire alarm switch.

In carrying out the invention, I have developed an unusually simplified organization of parts for normally maintaining the signal circuit open but which comes into play immediately in case of fire to close the circuit and to sound or give a signal to the occupants of a dwelling or to passers-by.

The particular details and their relative arrangement and association will become more readily apparent "from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

,7 Figure 1 is a view in section and elevation showing a switch or circuit closer constructed in accordance with the present in vention, the device being suspended in a vertical position for operation.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken approximately upon the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is aside view with a portion '30 broken away showing the manner in which the same device may be hung or placed in a horizontal operating position.

Figure 5 is a view showing how it may be employed in an inverted vertical position.

Figure 6 is a detail View of a contact plate. v

The entire structure may be well seen in Figure 1, wherein it will be observed that the reference character 7 designates generally a casing or housing comprising a cap section 8, connected with a cylindrical section 9 by way of an annular intervening section 10. This sectional arrangement is utilized to facilitate assembly and repairs.

The cap section 8 is provided with an insulation collar 11, and the cylindrical section 9 carries a removable retaining rim 12 for an inflammable closure 18. This may be a paper disc, if desired.

1929. Serial No. 349,119.

Fastened to the center of this inflammable disc by way of a screw or the like 1 1 a ball weight 15. Secured to the upper portion of this ball, as shown in Figure 6 is an insulation sleeve 16 fastened by bolts 17 also serving to hold in position a contact plate Incidentally the casing is of current conducting material and the ball weight is of current conducting material. The insulated neck 16 extends through and beyond the central opening 19 of a metallic partition plate 20. A ground wire 21 is connected with this plate and in turn is connected with a binding post 22, on an insulation disc 23. A line wire 24: is also connected with the binding post 22 and extends out through the collar 11. The complemental circuit wire 25 extends through this collar and is connected at its inner end with a binding post 26 also on the insulation disc 23. There is aconnecting wire 27 between the posts 26 and the current conducting bolt 17 on the ball weight.

The device may be used in a vertical hanging position, shown in Figure 1 -VVhen the inflammable diaphragm or disc 13 becomes disrupted or burned under the action of flame or heat, it is obvious that the ball 15 will drop down, causing the contact plate 18 to bridge the opening 19 and to close the circuit. Included in the circuit may bean audible bell, a signal light, or other signalling means.

The device is also usable in the horizontal position shown in Figure l. In the latter position, when the diaphragm 13 becomes disrupted under the action of the flame or heat, the ball will drop down to one side and rest against the casing, thereby ground ing the circuit and closing it to illuminate a light or ring a bell.

The structure is also usable in the inverted state as shown in Figure Here when the diaphragm is disrupted, the ball drops down vardly causing the contact plate or strip 18 to bridge the two binding posts 253 and 26, thus closing the circuit in this manner, The variable operation feature of the invention is one to be emphasized, in that it K flammable element circuit wires connected with said within the field of invention may be resorted to, in actual practice, if desired.

a 1'. A fire alarm switch of the class described comprising a housing, an insulation disc in said housing, a pair of binding posts mounted on said disc, circuit wires connected with said binding posts, a metallic partition in said housing in spaced parallelism to said disc and electrically connected with the housing, a ground wire connected with one of said posts and with said partition, an inin'said housing spaced from said partition, and a relatively movable circuit closing device located in the housing between said partition and said inflammable element and connected with said inflammable element and also electrically connected with the remaining binding post.

2. In a fire alarm switch of the class described, a housing, an insulation disc in said housing, binding posts mounted on said disc, binding posts, a partition in said housing having a central aperture, a current conductin wire electrically connecting one of said binding posts with said partitlon, said partition being in electrical connection with said housing, a replaceable inflammable diaphragm mounted in said housing, a ball like circuit closer normall connected with said diaphragm, electrically connected with the remaining bindin post and provided with current conducting and contact means.

In a fire alarm switch: of the class described, a housing constructed of current conducting material, an insulation disc mounted in said housing, binding posts carried by said disc, circuit wires connected with said binding posts, a metallic partition plate in said housing disposed in spaced parallelism to said disc and in electrical connection with said housing and having a central opening formed therein, a current conducting ground wire connecting one of said posts with said partition, a replaceable inflammable diaphragm mounted upon said housing, a weight connected with said diaphragm and located within said housing,

' said weight including an insulated neck extending through the aperture in said partition and carrying a contact element bridgingi said aperture, and a current conducting wire connecting said contact element with the remaining nding post.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE J. FRANCOEUR. 

